The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-23
Newsv Notes from Alabama and
Georgia
A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE MAGIC
CITY.
DUPoST, GA, Feb. Z, 1887.

| luoueht nOuAu ~ OfeI ahu oNsSnN ~
Georgia. As / had to pass through Bir
mingham, a short stop there was admissi
bic. Many Mississippians are there, most
ly on speculation, all loving the home
State the best.
Birmingham is indeed the Magic City
1t has grown wonderfully, and like an in
hated balloon, it is still swelling. Lots anC
stocks, (acres now being out of the ques-
tion) are the universal theme. Nothins
else is heard. Lots and stocks and lots oi
lots and stocks occupy the minds of white
and black, rich and poor, old and young
Passing through the crowded thorough
fares, jostling along with the vast, dens'
crowds, snatches Of conversation denot,
the themes. Not in the old gold specula
tions of Washoe or Virginia City, did tn,
waves of excitement lash more continu
ously night and day. Hither and thithel
the speculation goes, with rapid strides
while the real estate agent is equally busy
1t seems every man who can rent desl
room and buy desk on a credit has added
his name to the great IN aiority. Up an(
down the streets, on many windows, abov,
and below, and even on the circulars thai
the winds toss about the grounds, appear
| the words "Real Estate Agent" Even the
little ones, the "unlaid-by CROP" can tell
you the worth per front foot of lots on the
leading avenues, what they sold for last
week and about what they will bring mex
week. Birmingham is rearing enough real
estate agents and spectators to take il
charge the interests of the entire South
and dispose OF them at fabulous prices, in
| the not distant future. These little ones
"catch on" with wonderful sagacity-and
| some of their elders are content to follow
in their footsteps. Noticeable, is the post.
office speculations-when the daily mail
arrives, those who are expecting letters al
the General Delivery, form a line "a la
chick ma cranie crow several squares 81
! blocks long, sometimes reaching down
round the corner, out to the depot, (known
here as 'Dapoorl". 1t is a solid wall, no.
body can squeeze between, and as the head
of the column moves up to the delivery,
receives his mail and turns away, the next
| in succession takes his place. Thus black
and white, little and big, they slowly step
| along for hours. Now, the speculation is
| to get place in this procession and sell il
out to those who may be in a hurry. The
nearer it is to the head, the more it will
bring. The cry of want to buy a place,
Mister % is heard continuously along the
line. According to locality places are
worth so, S5, %, 10, 10, and cents. The
speculator sells out, shoves the purchaser
| in and runs to the rear to come up again
| by the time the next mail is in. Thus the
4 4
coming in daily. Speculation, wild and
| fierce, is the order OF the day, and there If
nothing into which it does not enter. Yet
the city is growing hourly-handsome
houses go up as if by magic. The "Won-
derful Lamp" has been rubbed, the Geni
has answered the call and the city has the
appearance of an Arabian tale. The
| Highlands" are dotted with palaces and
street railway cars move like magic among
/ them. I.ake-view is surrounded by cot
| tages and hotels, and rustic bridges, re-
freshment pavilions and little gondolas
| all filled with merry people. A party
paid visit of two hours to Lake-view and
on returning to the city saw house Of
| five rooms which had been built within
the two hours, the keys just being handed
over to the owner by the contractor.
Men, too, have progressed just as Other
things have in Birmingham. Some OF oui
| little pet Mississippi boys who went out
| there few months ago as, George, Louis
Howell or Richard, are now known as
Doctor, General, Captain-and they beai
| their blushing honors well and are a credit
to US. They look taller and straightei
and more important; their mustaches have
grown, their wisdom increased and theli
| purses enlarged.
| You must not infer that there are nc
other industries in this city. 1t is full oi
them. Iron works are numerous engines
are turned off hourly, cars are built, rails
and all thereunto are here fashioned fol
use. Everything imaginable has Its sphere
and its advocates and its workers.
The newspaper men are the busiest IL
the world The cage" can not fill its or
ders. Their Office is in new brick bloch
that would do credit to New York. Chas
M. HAYES is the Business Manager, and :
speaking activity pervades the surround
ings night and day.
Across the street is the Planters Jour
lual Publishing House and that OF othel
class publications, in charge OF Gen. +.
Morehead, whose enterprise and worth arr
too we'll known to need comment. For, a
of vore. he is working on with his wonder
full tact and energy in the cause OF Pro
gress. Like other Mississippians he love
his own State, for, said he, 81 have no
left Mississippi-a part oil my work onil
lis here.u Thus, ever building up tn
lSouth. his own and other States, he neve
falters. There is newness and neat
lness. and system about the once an'
nressrooms truly refreshing and progress
i've. With Gen. Morehead is his othclen
assistant, man of vim and worth, wei
known in newspaper circles, Col. Douglas
Raines. late of Nashville, Tenn. Togethe
they make advancement sure. Others ar
who use the best years of their lives to pul
down the fabric and destroy the work Q
those who have labored Tor the welfare Q
the land. Apropos OF the latter class, Is a
who is endeavoring to pull his smotnerln
old Wool Hat over the heads OF the IN
telligence Of his State. Peck, peck, pecs
he goes-as long as there Is a listener or
reader. In the olden day in Letiore county
there was a dead tree standing near a.
old plantation dwelling. Upon the o
side a wood -pecker would daily perch an
neck. peck. peck, much to the annoyanc
| OF the inmates. At first they sought t
dislodge him and drive him away. ]
seemingly encouraged him and gave dignit
to his harassing avocation. he woul
, peck while, then hop from one side OF tn
tree to the other, peeping to see the eifec
, Wearied out at last, the family closed th
window and moved to the other side OF th
, house. He peeped and pecked Tor fe'
DAYS longer, then sought another calling
But back TO Birmingham for a momen
/ would speak Of her "dudes." They al
generally not those who are dudes by til
right of discovery or from youthful indi
cretion, but older men, in untarnished stoI
clothes, shining boots and hats xhic
ldarken the air as they approach, and $.
: Won to rejecting as to where they inten'
4 in this new city, to build their dirt-daube
. lcorn-row habitations. The hundreds .
0 coke ovens in long rows on the outskirts
the CITY are a wonder TO behold. The
. Hight earth, air and sky, with luri
weird light, which is indescribable. Thel
: are the rolling mills, with all their wonde
9 full machinery, purifying and moulding Il
! iron into necessary weights and shape
: But the grandest sights of all are the fu
! naces. The one visited by night was Il
I aFloss.n scarcely without the city limit
: 1t is double furnace, costing $780, 900
! now valued at over two millions III
: great stacks, the mighty caldrons ar
' monstrous engines are wonderful, to De y
result Of human labor. Day and night Il
terrtnc ures are kept ufss tAC u ASot 1iCF Az
pour into the caldrons the ore, and eve
: twelve hours run is made. In long bri.
buildings, open at ends and sides,
moulds Of clay resting in sand beds Fro
the main trench, leading from the furnac
Ismaller ones run out to the left. about fol
% wards apart. These are called the sowl
l. connected with the latter are q third siz
y lcalled the pigs. The door in the bottom
= the great caldron is opened, and Il
= streaming, blazing iron runs forth Ill
4 burning faya, filling the main trench As
Q goes and spreading to the smaller ons
= being turned and forced into proper cha
8 lnels when necessary by brawny men wi
q - k.-lIaa hr1ad hladsd shovela T